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US may move warship into Black Sea

US may move warship into Black Sea to bolster NATO defenses

By LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press

Posted on April 1, 2014 at 5:07 p.m.

ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT (AP) — The U.S. is likely to move a warship into the Black Sea and send a small team of soldiers to Europe as part of NATO’s effort to bolster allies in Eastern Europe who are worried about Russia’s military annexation of Crimea. That from a senior defense official.

The official says military commanders are considering ways to bolster America’s military presence in the region. But the official says the U.S. is encouraging allies to contribute more aircraft to the Baltic air patrol mission and beef up military support to Poland — steps the United States has taken.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says this country has “to be prepared to deal with any contingency and all options.”

NATO foreign ministers on Tuesday ordered an end to civilian and military cooperation with Russia.